The 2022 West Virginia legislative session ended March 12 with no action on Senate Bill 100, which would have allowed casinos in the state to open satellite casinos in same county as the primary casino.
A local ballot referendum would have been required with a simple majority of county voters approving each proposed mini-casino. The state Lottery Commission also would have had to approve the satellite location. The bill’s sponsor, state Senator Eric Nelson, said the satellite casinos could help rejuvenate retail malls like the Charleston Town Center.
Nelson introduced the bill in February and it passed the Senate in a 23-10 vote on March 1. However, the bill was then sent to the House Finance and Judiciary committees; neither one acted on the bill.
SB100 stipulated a licensed racetrack may operate two locations within a county. Also, the measure mandated the larger casino must receive at least the same total local gaming tax revenue as it received in the year prior to the opening of the satellite casino.
West Virginia Gambling and Racing Association Executive Director John Cavacini said prior to the end of the session, “Obviously at this late date the legislature getting into another gaming issue is not something they wanted to do. Senator Nelson was trying to represent his district. He was trying to develop a need for something to go in the mall that would tie into the convention center across the street and the hotels in the area and restaurants. I applaud him for his efforts.”
